Shockwaves NME Awards Show: MYSTERY JETS

Feb 9th @ Shepherd’s Bush Empire
London

by Joanna Orland

What a fantastic gig! I rarely start off reviews with such enthusiasm, but seriously… the Mystery Jets are such a fun band with great energy, amazing tunes and a captivating stage presence!

In spite of all their positive points, they are a bit of a motley crew. They have a stranger dress sense than Razorlight (I’m talking about YOU bassist!) and to see a ginger singer fronting a band since the days of Simply Red’s Mick Hucknall are just unheard of.

It’s part of their charm – an indie band who are far more talented than the average, and who aren’t relying on their looks to forge their careers. These guys are all TALENT! (I realize that this is quite the backhanded compliment, but I struggle with giving outright praise. I’m also trying to demonstrate how the band stand out amongst all the indie band clones out there in today’s scene. I am also a ginger, so I can say these things.)

Anyway, as part of the Shockwaves NME Awards Shows, the Mystery Jets are a sure standout. They played hit after hit, the audience with them at every song. It actually got to a point where I thought to myself, well, surely they’ve played all their songs now… they couldn’t possibly have had any more hits that I know of! Lo and behold they’d throw out another, and another, and another. I didn’t even realize I knew all their songs, but they’re one of those bands that if you give them a proper listen through, you’re suckered in. And having seen them live, that is even more the case.

The only mystery I have yet to solve of the Mystery Jets is – who is the lead singer? If you listen to their latest album Serotonin, you would assume that ginger Blaine Harrison and pal William Rees share singing duties roughly 50/50. Live it’s a different story. Blaine is clearly taking the lead, even singing prominently on songs that on album are left to William. William did however make quite the vocal impression on Count & Sinden track After Dark and his own Dreaming of Another World. The best vocal moments of the night were when both Blaine and William were singing together, with harmony support from the oddly dressed bassist. I’m a sucker for harmonies, and when they’re at their finest, I’m a goner.

This is quite the rant and I can understand you didn’t bother reading it, but perhaps you’ve skimmed down to this last summarizing sentence. If so, note that in conclusion: MYSTERY JETS are AWESOME…

(and ginger)